118. Smells Like Biotech Spirit: Bob Weinstein on the Flavors & Fragrances Industry’s Bio-Revolution

Grow Everything Biotech Podcast

Flavors, fragrances, and the science behind what makes things smell and taste amazing—Karl and Erum explore this world with Bob Weinstein, a legend in the industry who has spent decades at Firmenich, Robertet, and now Bedoukian Research. Bob takes them on a journey from the early days of animal-derived scents (yes, civet was a thing) to the rise of biotech-powered ingredients that are shaping the future of sustainable fragrance and flavor. They get into the art and science of scent, the challenges of scaling biomanufacturing, and why companies, much like organisms, have to evolve to survive. Plus, Erum shares her experience making her own perfume—though Bob has some thoughts on her ingredient choices.

Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 – Ice, Snow, and a Birthday Glow
• 00:00:48 – Cabin Life and Petrochemicals at Work
• 00:02:37 – Brooklyn: Where Trivia Meets Fungi
• 00:04:38 – Fermentation Festival and the Science of Flavor
• 00:06:20 – Yeast, Beer, and Biotech's Brewing Future
• 00:07:00 – 90s Software Hype vs. Biotech’s Moment
• 00:10:56 – Melanin, Gamma Rays, and Seeds for Space
• 00:12:27 – Unilever Shake-Up and What It Means for Biotech
• 00:13:44 – Robert Weinstein: The Science and Business of Scent
• 00:31:12 – Government, Industry, and the Fight for Innovation
• 00:32:00 – The Future of Plant-Based Ingredients
• 00:32:58 – How Legacy Companies Stay Relevant
• 00:35:25 – Surviving Economic Cycles in Business
• 00:36:49 – Bedoukian Research and the Next Chapter
• 00:39:32 – The Science of Smell: Fragrance, Musk, and Civet
• 00:45:15 – The Price of Smell: Why Some Scents Cost a Fortune
• 00:51:38 – Biotech Founders, Here’s What You Need to Know
• 00:54:30 – Wrapping Up: Leadership, People, and Consumer Delight

Links and Resources:

• Robertet
• DSM- Firmenich
• Bedoukian
• Berkeley Yeast
• FarmOne
• Avisa Myko
• Melatech
• Melanin from the fungus protects seeds from the effects of exposure to gamma radiation
• Inscripta
• Aethera Biotech
• Research Institute for Fragrance Materials
• Fragrance Creators Association
•  Flavor Extract Manufacturers Association

Topics Covered:

Biotech beauty, flavors and fragrances, corporate leadership, perfume, taste, bioengineering

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Email: [email protected]

Music by: Nihilore

Production by: Amplafy Media